The Crippled Savage

Chapter 3 : Watching

I turned around to see if he was looking and he was. I turned my head as quickly as possible and felt something pop in my neck.

"Ow." I said quietly to myself.

"Ew. He's such a pig. Why was he staring at me -- I mean us. Why was he staring at us like we were a piece of meat?"

Of course I knew he wasn't staring at me. He was staring at Lashonda. Why wouldn't he? She was everything he seemed to have wanted. I mean he did look her over more than once.

"Oh cheer up baby. I didn't mean anything by it."

"I know what you meant." I snapped then instantly regretted it. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get so aggressive." I said trying to laugh it off. We continued to walk inside and to our table in the back of the cafeteria. Class didn't started till 7:35 so we had plenty of time.

"MANI!"

Oh no. Not again. Not today.

"MANI!"

Lashonda started laughing hysterically like this was some joke. We both knew who was running down the way to come try and talk to me again.

"I think bae is coming." She said pointing at Marcus. Marcus really was a sweet guy. I just didn't want it to go any further than being acquaintances. He has had the biggest crush on me since the 1st grade.

"Hey Mani," Marcus said half out of breath, "I-I brought you a ham and cheese sandwich from the breakfast line. I know how you like those."

Looking at Marcus you'd think he was in the wrong grade. He's about 5'7 with a nappy afro growing in. He had a baby face that made him look 13 even though he was 17, the same age as me.

I don't know why he got so attached to me. I treat him exactly how I treat my other acquaintances. If you're an acquaintance of mine you barely get my attention or the time of day.

"Marcus. Go away I don't like you. If you hadn't realized by now, you're not my friend."

"Of course I'm your friend." He said with the goofy smile of his.

I shot him a disgusted look and started walking the other way. I knew he was following me. He always did. Why couldn't he just take a hint and leave me alone?

I dodged a whole bunch of heads moving in all sorts of directions. I finally got out through the cafeteria doors and made my way down the hall. The hallway had a different feeling when you were alone.

I was walking past the nurses office when I saw him again. The boy in the wheelchair. Although the this time he was using his walker instead. I hid behind one of those weird looking pillar things and watched him carefully inside the room. I barely had a glance at him earlier today.

He was wearing orange joggers with orange and white sneakers. He had on a white sweater. It was clearly a little to big for his body. I had to laugh a little. He just looked so cute.

I figured I better be on my way before he saw me and thought I was some thirsty girl wanting his number. I quickly composed myself and kept walking. I barely made it past a couple lockers when I heard a voice.

"Hey!"

Shit.